The College of Idaho’s primary undergraduate research facility has completed its transformation from the Space Age to the Digital Age thanks to a recent $2.3 million, Phase II upgrade to Boone Science Hall.

The building—named after founding C of I President William Judson Boone—opened to much fanfare in 1970, but some of the facility’s teaching labs hadn’t changed much since then, until now.

Nine teaching labs have been completely remodeled and updated through the Phase II renovation. The transformation is paying immediate dividends for C of I students and faculty.

“Try this miner’s lettuce,” says College of Idaho botany professor Don Mansfield, tearing off a couple leaves of a small plant growing along the edge of Currant Creek Trail in the Boise Foothills.

As student research assistants McKayla Stevens and Lauren Polito nibble on the leaves, Mansfield notes “you can make a great salad with them” before pointing out the hemlock growing right next to it, one of the most poisonous plants in North America.

The College of Idaho’s Whittenberger Planetarium invites the public to learn about the Spring Equinox at its March public show, set for 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14 inside Boone Science Hall on the C of I campus in Caldwell. Guests will have the opportunity to explore equinoxes, solstices and the circumstances that bring them about. The show, which costs $4 for adults or $2 for children ages 4-17, also will include an overview of the current and upcoming constellations and planets visible in the Idaho night sky.

Have you ever wondered what happened to Pluto? Come find out – and learn about dwarf planets and exoplanets – during the Whittenberger Planetarium’s February public show, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, inside Boone Science Hall on The College of Idaho campus in Caldwell.

This fascinating look at dwarf planets is the final installation of a series of public shows on the topic. The show, which costs $4 for adults or $2 for children ages 4-17, also will include an overview of the current and upcoming constellations and planets visible in the Idaho night sky.

College of Idaho students will soon enjoy updated teaching laboratories in Boone Science Hall with the help of a $750,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust that is supporting a major renovation of the facility.

“The College of Idaho’s philosophy is to help students learn science by doing science,” said C of I President Marv Henberg. “That means engaging our students in research and directed inquiry, and this generous grant will help us create improved teaching spaces for doing science.”

The Winter Solstice will be the topic of exploration when The College of Idaho’s Whittenberger Planetarium hosts its final public show of 2013 at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, inside Boone Science Hall on the C of I campus in Caldwell. Guests will learn all about equinoxes and solstices and receive an overview of the constellations and planets visible in Idaho’s December night sky.

Dwarf planets and exoplanets will be the topics of conversation when The College of Idaho’s Whittenberger Planetarium hosts its next public show at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8. Guests will find out what happened to Pluto and learn about other planets outside of our Solar System in addition to receiving an overview of the constellations and planets visible in the November night sky.

Dwarf planets and exoplanets will be the topics of conversation when The College of Idaho’s Whittenberger Planetarium hosts its next public show at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. Guests will find out what happened to Pluto and learn about other planets outside of our Solar System in addition to receiving an overview of the constellations and planets visible in the October night sky.